Welcome, July
Well, welcome!
I am glad you are here
here reading this
and here on this earth.
I am feeling reinvigorated by this newsletter. I have been wanting to find a way to share some resources, themes from my client sessions, the mini joys of life to help others see the same in their own lives, share social media accounts that speak to my soul and all things related to my love for food.
So, let’s get into it. In each section you’ll find some of my thoughts, some questions to ponder on, and ways to learn more. You can expect each month to be a little different. This newsletter is also a practice of challenging perfectionism for me. I am practicing that I can share without it needing to be perfectly formulated. We are all human, I remind myself.
Text that appears in italics is meant to be a journal or thought prompt to take with you. I hope you enjoy taking a few moments to sift through things that have struck me over the last month.
Here we go…
The words of HannahRoWrites always captivate me. She has a way of capturing difficult human experiences, their textures and complexities. She has a way of normalizing the isolating feelings that naturally arise. I reached out to Hannah because I am always reposting her work on Instagram. She is working with a publisher for her first poetry book. I’ll be first in line to get a copy!
Imagine a dialogue between you and a part of your body you struggle to make peace with. What would you want to say if you could have a conversation with it? Place a hand on this area. Move your palm in a small circle. Notice the warmth of your skin. Breathe. This is a beautiful part of you.
Session Themes
It is amazing to me that there are so many similarities in my sessions with clients who know nothing about one another. I am not sure what I believe in but it is as if there is cosmic occurrence leading many of us to navigate the such similar events and themes on the same week.
Here are some of those themes from the past few weeks
Be here now.
Three simple words. My therapist said them to me almost two years ago. I say them in session to clients. I say them often to myself. I am even currently resisting the urge to get them tattooed because they resonate so deeply. I love this phrase because it gives my mind a moment to pause. It reminds me I don’t have to rush to the next thing. I can slow the hamster wheel in my mind for a bit and focus on the now.
Is that a dependable source of information?
No, I don’t mean in the research 101 way that appreciates a primary source. Stick with me here… Our thoughts do not come from out of the blue. They all have a source. Sometimes that source is something a parent said to us when we were young, sometimes it is something we saw on an Instagram ad or were told by a peer in school. Yes, research would say some of these are “primary sources”. However, I am inviting you to be curious if it is dependable. For example, if you were once told by someone that there is something wrong with your body, I might ask, how do you think that person feels about their own body? That person may not be a dependable source of information. We have then absorbed their words and based our own beliefs on those words. More often than not, the thoughts that we take as truth are based on feelings we are having, not facts.
Great Expectations
… are not often so great.
Sure it is normal to have some expectations about how situations or interactions will go so we can be somewhat prepared. However, our expectations can lead us to disappointment. We create scenarios in our mind and when they don’t go exactly that way we feel frustrated, let down or sad, naturally. If you find yourself caught up in thoughts about how you are expecting a trip to go, a conversation with your significant other to go, or how you are going to feel about something happening, try asking yourself: what about the times that something went unexpectedly well or that something spontaneous happened that was not part of your plan?
Now onto food, my favorite topic:
For those who do not know, my boyfriend is a wonderful cook. He works for the tv show America’s Test Kitchen. I thought I was great at cooking until I met him! I have learned so much from him. Something you may also not know about me is that my favorite food is tacos. So, naturally, when he made tomatillo salsa I had to save down the recipe. That’s what I am sharing with you today. You will need a food processor or a blender!
I mean, look at those colors!
Ingredients
6 husked tomatillos
1 jalapeño with some seeds (especially if you like some heat!)
1/2 white onion
1 serrano pepper seeded
About a small handful of cilantro bunch with stems
1/2 avocado
A pinch or two of oregano
Salt & pepper
It’s simple. Put all of these ingredients into your food processor or blender, add a little cold water to thin the salsa if desired, and voilá!
I love this on steak tacos, chicken and rice bowls, eggs in the morning, or with chips.
Think about your favorite meal or food. What is it that you love about this food? Is it contrasting flavors of sweet and savory? Is it connected to a sweet memory of a relative preparing it for you? Is it about the view you are looking at when you are eating it?
I am so glad you are here.
Thank you for reading.
Thank you for being you.
Be back soon with more!
After all, we are all human here.
xxoo, Marina
